Ambler Primary School and Children's Centre, London

Outstanding
Primary
Community school
Mixed
Ages 011

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~328m)Possible (~469m)Unlikely (~610m)Confidence: high

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mrs Sandeep McNicholl
Pupils:515 / 508 capacity
LA:Islington
Phone:02072264708
Address:Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 2DR
Admissions:Not applicable
Status:open

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 2 years ago
-

Overall

Outstanding

Quality of Education

Outstanding

Behaviour & Attitudes

Outstanding

Personal Development

Outstanding

Leadership & Management

Outstanding

Early Years

Inspected 19 November 2024View full report
URN:100397
UKPRN:10078006
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Islington North
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

This school excels at inspiring pupils to achieve their best through outstanding teaching and high expectations. Teachers use effective questioning to deepen learning, and the school provides excellent support for all pupils including those with additional needs. Parents highly praise the school for its firm but fair approach, strong safeguarding, and inclusive community where children thrive both academically and personally.

Key Strengths

  • Outstanding teaching with teachers asking probing questions to deepen learning
  • Pupils make rapid progress, particularly in reading and writing through high-quality phonics and grammar teaching
  • Excellent support for pupils with special educational needs who make strong progress from their starting points
  • Strong behaviour standards with pupils responding positively to the school's behaviour system
  • Outstanding early years provision with exciting indoor and outdoor learning activities

Areas for Improvement

  • Provide further opportunities to challenge the most able pupils, including disadvantaged high-achievers, so more exceed expected standards
  • Increase the proportion of pupils exceeding expected standards in mathematics

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective with robust recruitment procedures, thorough staff training on child protection requirements, and strong processes led by the inclusion manager to keep pupils safe from harm.

Extracurricular Activities

Multi-sports, fitness training, badminton, extra-curricular clubs and activities, active parent groups including 'Grow Ambler'

Ambler Primary School and Children's Centre is an outstanding school that has made successful improvements since its previous inspection. The headteacher's determination and clear vision of high ambition have transformed the school into an exemplary institution.

At a Glance

30.5%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

Yes

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

174 responses
Would recommend98%
Child is happy98%
Well taught97%
Good progress91%
Feels safe99%
Well behaved98%
Bullying dealt with21%
Kept informed95%
Handles concerns61%
Wider development96%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Primary Performance (KS2)

Academic year 2025/26

KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)

2024
2025
Reading-5ppMaths-1ppWriting-3pp

Reading has declined from 98% to 93%. Maths has remained stable at around 87%. Writing has remained stable at around 80%.

Class Sizes

28.4

Avg class size

30.0

Infant (KS1)

29.9

KS2

13

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Train Stations

Finsbury Park Rail Station (Entrance)
363m · 6 min walk

Tube / Metro / Tram

Finsbury Park Underground Station
342m · 6 min walk
Finsbury Park Station
352m · 6 min walk
Arsenal
536m · 9 min walk

Bus Stops

Monsell Road (Stop EL)
149m · 2 min walk
City & Islington College (Stop N)
183m · 3 min walk
Brownswood Road / Finsbury Park Road (Stop EA)
206m · 3 min walk
Rock Street (Stop P)
247m · 4 min walk
Finsbury Park /Blackstock Road (Stop M)
317m · 5 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

101%

Over capacity

515 pupils

508 capacity

7 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - London

Low pressure
New homes approved:104,823
Projected new pupils:26,206

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for London

Admissions Demand - Islington

Low demand0.85x oversubscription

Places available

1,905

Applications

1,626

Got 1st preference

80.9%

Got preferred school

96.5%

Primary admissions across Islington (2025/26)

Inspection History(9)

19 November 2024
Quality of EducationOutstanding
Behaviour & AttitudesOutstanding
Personal DevelopmentOutstanding
Leadership & ManagementOutstanding
Early YearsOutstanding
8 March 2023
3 May 2017
OutstandingReport
Leadership & ManagementOutstanding

House Prices

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

3.95653%

Overall absence

10.08174%

Persistent absence

367

Enrolments

Authorised2.7034%
Unauthorised1.25313%
Persistent (10%+)10.08174%
Severe (50%+)0%

Absence trend

2.29854%
18/19
1.85106%
20/21
4.76958%
21/22
4.0434%
22/23
3.45054%
23/24
3.95653%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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